Skokie EMT Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run

Skokie resident Kristian Hernandez, 36, of the 8200 block of Knox Avenue, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident resulting in a death, a Class I felony, authorities said Friday.

Patch reported on Nov. 6 that 53-year-old Park Ridge resident Ronald Bougan was found dead about six feet from Touhy Avenue near Axehead Lake, just east of the I-294 expressway in Des Plaines, on Nov. 5.

A man riding his bicycle found Bougan in a grassy area and initially, in the dark, thought he was looking at a deer or other animal, authorities said. Hernandez worked as an EMT for an ambulance company in Skokie, the Sheriff's Department said.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Department gathered evidenced at the scene and canvassed local auto body shops in an attempt to locate a vehicle that had damage consistent with auto parts recovered at the scene.

Investigators eventually realized they were looking for a black Dodge Challenger and located a repair shop in Skokie that matched the description of the vehicle they were looking for. The car had damage consistent with what was found at the scene of the accident, authorities said.

According to the Cook County Sherriff’s Department, Hernandez has already provided statements admitting his involvement with the accident.

Prior to this arrest, Hernandez had been arrested seven times, including a violation of an order of protection, domestic battery with bodily harm and possession of a stolen vehicle, the Sherriff’s Department said.

Bond has been set for $100,000 and Hernandez  is due in court on Dec. 4 at the Skokie Courthouse.